An affordable option for building a cheap home library, 20th-century hardcover publishers book series included reprints of classics and publisher’s back catalog titles as well as newly commissioned titles. A few series dominated, such as Everyman’s Library and the Modern Library, but there are many others. These pages document the diversity of 20th-century reprint book series. Click on a series below for more information about the series.

Great Writers Collection

Platt & Munk (New York, US)Series dates: 1960-1965Size: 6″ x 8.25″

Platt & Munk was established in 1921 and acquired by Grosset & Dunlap in 1977. The firm almost exclusively published children’s books. Their most famous is The Little Engine that Could, published in 1930 in the name of the Platt & Munk house pseudonym, Watty Piper. Most sources attribute the story to Arnold Munk, of Platt & Munk, who moved from Hungary to Chicago in his youth. Watty Piper was the “author” of diverse children’s books published by Platt & Munk, especially anthologies and collections. The pseudonym undoubtedly reflects the work of various writers and editors working for Platt & Munk.

The Great Writers Collection was aimed at a young adult and adult audience and seems to be the first such general literature series published by Platt & Munk since a run of de Maupassant titles issued in the 1920s. Most were omnibus collections of writings, at least one (Melville) abridged. At least eleven titles were issued in the Great Writer’s Collection between 1960-1965:

Jackets are unique to each title in the series, with artwork highlighting exciting moments contained in the stories within. The series name is on the jacket spine, along with the crossed snow-shoes (symbolizing adventure?) associated with the series. The Title here is Jack London Stories (with a 1960 date). The title is significantly different in the book itself, on the title page (see below). A synopsis of the book is included on the front jacket, as is the price ($2.95). “No. 1103” is indicated on the jacket, possibly indicating this was the third title issued in the series.

Artwork is also included on the rear of the jacket. An author’s photograph and bio is included on the rear flap. Jacket design is by Al Fiorentino. The copyright for the book (1960) is also included on the rear jacket flap.

The books are bound in an unusual horizontal quarter binding in grey and green cloth with gold typography and decorations. The series name is included at the base of the book spine.

The half-title page:

The title page has a much more extensive and descriptive title than the dust jacket and book spine.